Street Corner - March 2014

Noted hot rod engine builder Ed Pink and former drag racing crew chief Bob Brandt have teamed up to launch Ed Pink's Garage. The facility in Newbury Park, California, will be devoted to special projects ranging from R&D work to building and installing unique engines in street rods and muscle cars.

Brandt turned wrenches for several well-known drag racing teams, but is best known for his years as crew chief for Don Prudhomme, who won numerous NHRA championships during their time racing together. He came out of retirement to accept the opportunity to work with Ed Pink.

"Our goal is to connect with enthusiasts who want something special and value the knowledge and experience Bob and I bring to the party," Pink said. He clarified that this is not Ed Pink Racing Engines, which he sold more than five years ago and continues on its own. "I will count on EPRE to be a valuable resource for precision machine work and testing on all applicable projects we have at Ed Pink's Garage.

"Some of our first projects include recreating the Flathead engine that was in the '36 Ford I used to race at the dry lakes, building a 427 SOHC cammer Ford with some unique twists, and restoring an Indian motorcycle. We will also be doing consulting work and helping customers develop highly effective engine combinations."

Source Interlink Media, publisher of STREET RODDER, Rod & Custom, Hot Rod, and other automotive magazines, has a multi-year agreement with The Eastwood Company to equip three of our automotive tech centers with hand tools, power tools, and metal fabrication equipment.

Since its start in 1978, Eastwood has been marketing quality tools and supplies for the repair, restoration, and modification of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Eastwood continues to develop new products for every level of user, from home automotive hobbyists to professionals. You'll be seeing many of these Eastwood tools on the pages of STREET RODDER and our sister magazines, as well as on streetrodder.com and other social media sites. SIM magazines and Eastwood will also be working together to provide you with how-to videos, tech articles, and other useful information through the Source Interlink–owned website cardomain.com. For more on The Eastwood Company visit eastwood.com.

News From A New Petersen

The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year with a complete redesign inside and out. The improvements will enhance Petersen's status as a world-class museum, showcasing the art, experience, culture, and heritage of the automobile.

4/5From left to right: Ken Block, Jeff Beck, and Patrick Dempsey, all serious car enthusiasts, lent their support to the Petersen’s “Race, Rock ’n Rally” fundraiser.

"Our goal is to design and build an exterior as stunning as the vehicles and displays housed inside," Peter Mullin, the Petersen Automotive Museum chairman of the board, said. Stainless steel ribbons will wrap around the sides and top of the building, reflecting the speed and style of a coach-built automobile. Inside, redesigned galleries will feature state-of-the-art lighting, digital displays, and learning stations. A restored and upgraded permanent car collection will include classics, hot rods, race cars, and many other attractions.

The museum recently hosted a fund-raising event to benefit its educational programs. The "Race, Rock 'n Rally" Gala welcomed a trio of stars:

Jeff Beck, one of rock's greatest guitarists has a lifelong passion for cars. His collection includes a replica of the 1932 coupe featured in the film American Graffiti.

5/5A highlight at the end of the event was a performance by Jeff Beck with some of his band members.

Ken Block is a successful rally driver with Hoonigan Racing Division, and is well-known on the Internet for his Gymkhana video series

Patrick Dempsey, in addition to being a television actor, is the owner of Dempsey Racing. He competed in the American Le Mans Series in a Porsche 911 GT3.

The event's charity auction raised money to support educational programming at the Petersen; each year the museum hosts 15,000 children on field trips and the Robert E. Petersen Free School Bus Program pays for the buses for under-served schools. "Educational programming was very close to the heart of Robert E. Petersen, the museum's founder," Terry Karges, executive director of Petersen Automotive Museum, said.

To find out about the Petersen Automotive Museum, visit petersen.org or call (323) 964-6370.